LCDs Merge Power- And Space-Saving Features

Nuremberg, Germany: At Embedded World, a number of manufacturers presented new LCD modules for small appliance and industrial use. Two that stood out came from Sharp and Mitsubishi.

Sharp introduced three models for its range of ultra-low-power Memory LCDs, which draw a mere 0.25mW for static images and 0.65mW at a frame rate of 1Hz when not using the backlight (Fig. 1). Those low numbers result from a 1bit memory that’s behind each pixel. That memory stores the image data loaded on the screen. When the next image is loaded, only the pixels that change state need to be updated. Since these displays don’t require a backlight, further energy can be saved over traditional LCDs.

Ultra-low power sets apart Sharp’s latest Memory LCDs.

The 4.4-inch (11.09 cm) LS044Q7DH01 is a QVGA display that features a high reflectivity of 17.5% and a viewing angle of 120° in all directions. This display also has a slight transmissive portion of 0.25%, so that a backlight can be used in completely dark conditions. This is advantageous for sports computers, control panels of home/climate automation systems, and even for measuring devices, which sometimes have to be used at night.

Meanwhile, Mitsubishi Electric launched three TFT-LCD modules for industrial use. They feature a wide operating temperature range of -30 to +80°C. Measuring 8.4, 10.4,and 12.1 inches, these SVGA colour TFT-LCD modules feature a long-life LED backlight (100,000 hours to half-brightness at 25°C) (Fig. 2). The LED driver board is embedded in the module, which lends to a more compact system design.

Mitsubishi Electric new TFT-LCD modules feature a long-life LED backlight.

The modules offer a wide viewing angle of 170°, horizontal and vertical; a contrast ratio of 1000:1; and 600cd/m2 brightness with a colour gamut of 72% on NTSC standards.